Water, Weed, and Wait Book

When Miss Marigold challenges the kids at Pepper Lane Elementary to turn an unpromising patch of their schoolyard into a garden full of fruits, flowers, and vegetables, they know they'll need all the help they can get. Soon everyone in the community is lending a hand—including an unlikely neighbor with a soft spot for gardening—and it isn't long before peppers, zuccchini, sugar peas, snapdragons, zinnias, and much more are growing and blooming.
 
· Back matter includes photos of students gardening in real school gardens and information on how readers can start their own school or home garden project.

Children's Literature

An elementary classroom inspired by Ms. Marigold, a local "garden lady" volunteer, decides to plant a school garden. Ms. Marigold helps the students select a space during recess although the students feel their neighbor, grouchy Mr. Barkley, may object. Following selection of the site including a big cleanup, Ms Marigold leads the students through the steps necessary to make the garden a success. Students, volunteers, parents and community businesses all work together to get the project going. Even Mr. Barkley gets involved. The students work diligently to "water, weed and wait" and are rewarded with loads of flowers and veggies. They celebrate by inviting the community to a tasting party. The colorfully illustrated story idealistically portrays the worthwhile project of creating a school garden. The story is encouraging to those that may not have ever had gardening experiences. Suggestions and online resources as well as photos of actual school gardens are included at the end of the story. Reviewer: Meredith Kiger, Ph.D.